Verstappen explains near-disaster PU issue at start of Bahrain GP

Max Verstappen’s path to victory at Sepng was nearly derailed before he could even complete the opening meters, as a critical engine software anomaly briefly crippled his Red Bull RB22 on the starting grid. Despite securing pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, the four-time World Champion found himself at a severe disadvantage as the field understook its exploratory laps behind the Safety Car. A delay in power delivery left his machine struggling for drive off the line, allowing the Mercedes duo of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell to sweep past before Turn 1. A critical fault at…